| East | Won | Lost | Pct |
| Detroit | 1 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Homestead | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
| West | Won | Lost | Pct |
| Chicago | 1 | 0 | 1,000 |
| Kansas City | 1 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Indianapolis | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Packed house enjoys fireworks of Opening Day
CHICAGO – Comiskey Park hosted opening day of the 2020 Midwest Six Negro League. 30,000 fans enjoyed sensational pitching performances and flurry of home runs from the stars of the league. Kansas City wins the opener behind Max Manning and the timely hitting of Alejandro Oms. Smokey Joe Williams dominated in a win over Satchel Paige and the Homestead Grays. In the nightcap, both teams saved the fireworks for the last two innings as Chicago pounded out 18 hits in defeating Indianapolis.
Pittsburgh (Slim Jones) @ Kansas City (Max Manning) Recap | Box
Homestead (Satchel Paige) @ Detroit (Smokey Joe Williams) Recap | Box
Chicago (John Donaldson) @ Indianapolis (Hilton Smith) Recap | Box
Pittsburgh – 5
Kansas City – 6
Win – Max Manning (1-0)
Loss – Slim Jones (0-1)
Save – Redding (1)
HR – Dixon (1), Suttles (1), Monroe (1), Oms (1)
SB – Hill (1)
Manning outduels Jones in thriller
GAME RECAP
Alejandro Oms left the yard and had 2 RBI at Comiskey Park where the KansasCity Monarchs beat the Pittsburgh Crawfords by the score of 6 to 5. Kansas City came through with the game-winning runs in the 8th inning scoring 3 runs on 4 hits. After an out was recorded, Dobie Moore began the Kansas City spurt when he delivered a base-hit. Chino Smith struck out, unable to help the rally. Biz Mackey then drew a walk. Hank Aaron came up and he lashed a single scoring a run. Oms came to the plate and singled scoring one more run. Hurley McNair extended the rally and was hit by a pitch. Ray Dandridge stepped up next and he smacked a one-base hit scoring the final run of the inning. Pittsburgh made it exciting in the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.
The victory was credited to Max Manning(1-0) who went 8 innings, allowing 3 runs. Dick Redding gained credit for his 1st save. The loss was charged to Slim Jones(0-1).
Buck O’Neil was in a talkative mood in the clubhouse, ‘Great game! If only we could win all of the close ones – wouldn’t that be nice! Since that’s not going to happen, I think I’ll savor this one for a little while.’
ROCKET ARM
Rap Dixon threw out two runners at the plate and homered in the ninth to bring the Crawfords within one.
TOUGH DAY
McNair had a rough day, three strike outs and hit by a pitch – ouch! Redding registered the save although he gave up not one but two home runs in his only inning of work. Jones pitched a heck of a game, but his bullpen let him down allowing two inherited runners to score while recording one out.
Homestead – 2
Detroit – 3
Win – Joe Williams (1-0)
Loss – Satchel Paige (0-1)
HR – Dihigo (1)
SB – Blackwell 2 (2)
Smokey Joe goes distance striking out 8
GAME RECAP
Smokey Joe Williams had a complete game as the Detroit Stars topped the Homestead Grays by a score of 3 to 2 at Comiskey Park. Detroit had 2 runs cross the plate in the 3rd inning. The early run support proved sufficient for Williams(1-0) and Detroit. Homestead threatened in the 9th but Detroit was able to put down the rally.
Williams got out of a jam in the first striking out both Jud Wilson and John Beckwith with a runner on third. Martin Dihigo got Detroit on the board with a one out home run off of Satchel Paige in the bottom of the first.
Dihigo broke a 1-1 tie in the third knocking in Williams who had walked to lead off the inning. Turkey Stearnes followed one out later with a run scoring double giving the Stars all of the runs they would need.
Dick Lundy lead off the ninth with a single for the Grays. With nobody out and the lower part of the order up, Lundy tried to steal second but Spoony Palm threw a bullet to nab Lundy.
Paige(0-1) was the loser. He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks in 8 innings.
FLEET FEET
Charles Blackwell had two stolen bases for the Grays.
Chicago – 11
Indianapolis – 6
Win – John Donaldson (1-0)
Loss – Hilton Smith (0-1)
Save – Jefferson (1)
HR – O. Johnson (1), Torriente (1), Wright (1), Banks (1)
Torriente triples, homers in slugfest
GAME RECAP
Cristobal Torriente lofted one into the ‘cheap seats’ and had 4 RBI as the Chicago Giants defeated the Indianapolis ABC’s by a score of 11 to 6 at Comiskey Park.
Torriente provided much of the offense. He tripled plating two runs in the 3rd inning, cleared the fences for a two-run home run in the 7th inning and delivered a one-base hit in the 9th inning. Overall Chicago out-hit Indianapolis 18 to 11.
The Giants led 7-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth when things got a little too interesting. Ernie Banks hit a one out home run before Oscar Charleston walked and Willard Brown singled causing Pop Lloyd to go to the bullpen and summon Bill Jefferson. Jefferson gave up a first pitch double to Rev Cannady making the score 7-4. One out later Home Run Johnson tripled to make the score 7-6 Giants but the scoring stopped there for Indy.
Chicago came out determined to start the top of the ninth when Josh Gibson doubled, Torriente singled, Tubby Scales singled in a run, Lloyd walked and Judy Johnson singled in another run. One out later Bernado Baro singled in two to get the lead back to five for the Giants.
John Donaldson(1-0) picked up the victory, allowing 5 runs in 7 and 1/3 innings. Jefferson got the save, his 1st. Hilton Smith(0-1) was hit with the loss. He allowed a few too many baserunners giving up 10 hits and 2 walks in 6 and 2/3 innings.
LOADED LUMBER
Chicago had at least one hit from every starter in the lineup. Five starters had multiple hits as Chicago outhit Indy 18-11.